standard casing might be a better choice (for puncture resistance / durability) ?
Puncture resistance? No. The tread on the EL casing is not thin (3mm I believe), and the Standard casing is not any thicker. If you want meaningfully more puncture protection than the EL casing, you will be looking at tires that are a lot heavier and slower, and not the ones being suggested as fast rolling in this thread.
It is the sidewalls that are super thin on the EL casings. If you are hard on sidewalls, then that is a consideration. Tread life is fine on the EL and all of the sidewalls on the EL casings I've used have lasted as long as the treads.
IMO, the whole point of RH tires is the EL casing. That is the secret sauce to the way they perform and feel. If you are going to get the standard casing for the thicker sidewalls, I am not sure there is any advantage over several other tires mentioned in this thread.